Wrist-strap device



AfBu'LovA WRIST STRAP/V DEVICE Sept. 11, 192s.

Filed March 20, 1926 ATTOI? Y AnoLPn BULO Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

UNITED S T VA, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORTO BULOVA WATCH COMPANY, INC.,

on NEW YORK, N. Y., A- CORPORATION? OF NEW YO K.

PATENT ()FFICE.

WRIST-STRAP DEVICEL Application filed March 20, 1926. Serial No. 96,294.

The object of this inventionis to improve the straps of mens style wrist-watches so as to make it much more convenient to take the watchoff and put it back on the wrist. Strapwatches have much advantage overpocket watches and have gained a considerable degree of popularity, butthey have a drawback which makes them unacceptable to very many men and which has therefore limited their field to that extent. This disadvantage is the nuisance of unfastening and refasteningthe buckle with'one hand onthe numerous occasions when the watch has to be removed or replaced,

The purpose of this invention, therefore, is to overcome this drawback by the provision of a'simple, compact, comfortable, convenient and neat-appearing device, comprising: two pivotally folding bars which normally lie folded together beneath the strap, and when unfolded widely separate the ends of the strap members without disconnection, so that the watch and strap Will then pass freely over the hand. .This unfoldingand refolding of the device is accomplished very easily with one hand, and a yielding fastening is provided to hold the barsin folded cnd-i-tion.- A means of initial adjustment for one of the strap endsis also incorporated.

In the accom )fl-Il in drawin s" formin v part hereof:

F 1 is an edge view of a wristwatch, its strap, and the connection, shown in the condition of wearing, folded;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the con nection unfolded and the circuit greatly enlarged to slip over theh-and;

Fig. 3 is a rearelevation of-Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevationo-fFig. 2;

Fig. 5- is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line-55- of Fig. 3; and I Fig; 6 is anenlarged cross-section on the line '66' of-Figt. 5, r

The strap members 2, 3 are connected to the sides of the watch 4 in the ordinary with the connection manner. The other ends ofthese straps are connected to the broadened terminals 5,

6 of two long, thin, narrow, flexible, curved metal leaves 7, 8. The bodies of the leaves are narrower than the strap members, or the strap members are preferably at least as wide as these bodies. The connection between'the terminal 5 and its strap member is preferably permanent, a bar 9 in-the terminal passing through a closed loop of the strap-end. The other strap-endis held to the terminal 6 by a pivoteddog or 10 so arranged that thegreater the pull upon the strap the tighter the connection, This provides whereby the strap; member '3 can be drawn in or out of the terminal 6- to obtain the right length for the Wrist after which any projecting end of the strap is cut off.

of the wearer,-

clamp I a means "of adjustment,

The leaves 7, -8- are adapted to lie snugly together in superposed relation, the convcxity of the inner leaf fitting the concavity of the outer leaf, the curvature conforming approximately to the wrist, and the flexibility of the leavesca'usi'ng them to con-' form ierfectly with-out discomfort when the strap is closed.

The endsof the leaves not engaged with the straps are pivoted"together, so that the outer leaf may be swung open and closed.

In the preferred construction the hinged end of one heat is formed" with anarrow,

thickened tongue, and the leaf 8 with two such tongues, the tongues being of a thick ness approximating the combined thicknesses of the bodies of the leaves, and being interfitted, and a transverse pivot pin 13 being passed through them, this construction affording a strong, flat, and comfortable hinge.

It is desirable to fasten the two hinged leaves yieldin'gly together in' the folded or closed position. For this purpose a low lyingfastening, lying within the leaves, is

provided, the same preferably: consisting of a blocl'elike projection 14 on the outer, convex face of the innerleaf 7 remote from the hinge, and a corresponding opening 15 in: the-- outer leaf 8: r f-longitudinal slot 16 in the inner leaf divides the projection 14 into two halves, so as to afford a degree of resilient compressibility, and the parts have a slight undercut so as to give a snap-fastening effect when the projection is crowded into the opening by closing the leaves together.

In use, the strap and its folding connec tion are worn as seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, with the leaves folded together and caught by their fastening, holding the ends of the strap members 2 and 3 in proximity to each other. To remove the strap-watch the leaf 8 is swung outward by the pull of a finger. nail inserted beneath a lip 17 with which the terminal of the leaf 8 is provided, the fastening 14 and 15 yielding readily to a slight effort exerted in this manner. This carries the ends of the strapv wide'apart, as

shown in Figs. 2 and 4:, the ends of the strap I still being connected, however. The watch and strap can now be slipped freely over the largest hand, and as easily replaced. To close the strap again, it is simply necessary to ,fold the leaves together again and press them slightly to engage the fastening,

both the opening and the closing operations being of the simplest and quickest character and easily performed by the other hand. The folding of the leaves causes the leaf 8 to carry the strap member 3 over on top of the leaves, the leaves lying folded together and covered and concealed, except at the terminals, by this strap member, as shown in Fig. 3.

While the preferred form of the invention has been described in detail in order that there may be a clear understanding of the device, it will be appreciated that various changes may be made by the 'mechanic skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the'invention set forth in the following claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. A wrist-strap device comprising, in connection with two wrist 'watch strap members, two long, thin, flexible, curved leaves formed to lie folded face to face in superposed relation, a hinge connecting said leaves at one end of each, connections on the other ends of said leaves to receive the ends of said strap members, the relations being such that in the folding of the leaves the outer leaf carries one of the strap members over on top of the leaves, the. leaves lying covered beneath said strap member, one of said leaves having a. low fastening projection on its face inwardly of the edges, and the other leaf having a recess to receive said projection.

52. A wrist-strap device comprising, in connection with two wrist-watch strap members, two long, thin, curved, flexible leaves formed to lie folded face to face in superposed relation, a hinge connecting said leaves at one end of each, connections on the other ends of the leaves to receive the ends of said strap relation, .a hin e connecting said leaves at' one end of each, broadened terminals on the other ends of said leaves adapted to receive the ends of said strap members, one of said terminals comprising a clamp for adjustably engaging one of the strap ends, the relations being such that in the folding of the leaves the outer leaf carries one of the strap members over on top of the leaves, the leaves lying covered beneath said strap member.

1. A wrist-strap device comprising, 7 in 7 connection with two wrist-watch strap mem bers, two long, thin, flexible, curved leaves formed to lie folded face to face in super posed relation, a hinge connecting said leaves at one end of each, said leaves being narrower than the strap members and having a broadened portion at the end remote from the hinge attachment, connections between the strap members and said broadened por- I tions, one strap member extending over the convexly curved side of the outer of the two folded leaves past the hinge end and being connected with the end of said outer leaf.

which is remote from the hinge, the construction and relations being such that in the folding of the leaves the outer leaf carries one of the strap members over on top of the leaves, the leaves lyingcovered and'concealed beneath said strap member.

5. A wrist-strap device comprising, in connection with two wrist-watch strap members, two long, thin, flexible curved plates formed to lie folded face to face in superposed rela tion,a hinge connecting said plates at one end of each, attachment connectionson said )latcs to receive the ends of said strap memers, one of said connections comprising a clamp adjustably gripping a strap end against one of the plates, one strap extending over the convexly curved side of the outer of. the two folded plates, the construction and relations being such that in the folding of the leaves the outer leafcarries one of the strap members over on top of the leaves, the leaves lying covered and concealed beneath said strap member, V

, 6. A wrist-strap device comprising, in connection with two wrist-watch strap members, a plurality of long, thin, flexible curved leaves formed to lie folded face to face in superposed relation, a hinge connection be tween said leaves, firm attachment connections between both said strap members and hinge, the construction and relations being the ends of said leaves, one strap member eX- such that in the folding of the leaves the tending, in the folded condition of the leaves, outer leaf carries said strap member over on over the convexly curved side of the outer top of the leaves, the leaves lying covered 5 of the two folded leaves and being connected and concealed beneath said strap member.

by one of said attachments with the end of 7 said outer leaf Which is remote from the Y ADOLPH BULOVA. 

